Outstanding. The production is second to none and the vocals are innovative. I have to warn anyone listening to this though, it isn't easy listening; the production is very bass-heavy and the vocalists' performances are very obnoxious at times (in terms of ego, tone and swagger). It's successful for the same reasons Wu-Tang Clan's 36 Chambers was: they're both Outstanding. The production is second to none and the vocals are innovative. I have to warn anyone listening to this though, it isn't easy listening; the production is very bass-heavy and the vocalists' performances are very obnoxious at times (in terms of ego, tone and swagger). It's successful for the same reasons Wu-Tang Clan's 36 Chambers was: they're both intentionally gritty, have amazing production, and are driven by strong and diverse vocalists. Skeng and Poison Dart are the two best tracks.…Expand

The sound of the backlash is deafening. I can already see the angry user reviews from people who aren't in to dubstep, but who bought this anyway because it's one of the top albums of the year. It happened to Burial and ambient albums from Field and Stars of the Lid. It will happen again.

People will call it overrated and employ as much hyperbole as those they decry simply because it's hip to do so. Ultimately, London Zoo still remains an excellent entry into the dubstep (or whatever sub-genre you want to place it in) genre, with its great mix of lyricism and bass-heavy energy. It's personally the only album released this year that I've had this much fun People will call it overrated and employ as much hyperbole as those they decry simply because it's hip to do so. Ultimately, London Zoo still remains an excellent entry into the dubstep (or whatever sub-genre you want to place it in) genre, with its great mix of lyricism and bass-heavy energy. It's personally the only album released this year that I've had this much fun listening to. If you don't like dubstep at all then why bother reviewing this album?…Expand

An absolute masterpiece. The songs are innovative and interesting, but most of all, they contain a whole f**kload of energy. And I mean ALL of them. Some, like "Angry", are energizing in just a plain agressive, let-it-all-out style, while others, like "Skeng" or "Poison Dart" (which is, by the way, one of the very few true diamonds in this music style, in my opinion), are sophisticated andAn absolute masterpiece. The songs are innovative and interesting, but most of all, they contain a whole f**kload of energy. And I mean ALL of them. Some, like "Angry", are energizing in just a plain agressive, let-it-all-out style, while others, like "Skeng" or "Poison Dart" (which is, by the way, one of the very few true diamonds in this music style, in my opinion), are sophisticated and complicated compositions, not only appealing to the wild parts of our natures, but also the more civilized ones.And, of course, if you want to upset your neighbours just enough to move to a different country, buy yourself a decent sub to go with the record.…Expand

I couldn't even give this album away for free, BEWARE. I actually might listen to it again if it had a companion disc of just the music, minus the vocals, the vocals are just terrible, one of the worst albums I've ever listened to. It's not entirely surprising to see that the highest rating albums each year are only reviewed by a select few places (this one only ten, I couldn't even give this album away for free, BEWARE. I actually might listen to it again if it had a companion disc of just the music, minus the vocals, the vocals are just terrible, one of the worst albums I've ever listened to. It's not entirely surprising to see that the highest rating albums each year are only reviewed by a select few places (this one only ten, whereas Radiohead was reviewed by 42 different places, last year).…Collapse

Really hard on the ears. I think if the pace and tempo was quicker I could handle it, but after several listens I still hear abrasive MC's over very, very grime-y beats that never really take off. Really depends on what you're looking for from electronic/hip-hop/producer etc.

I am a big fan of Ninja Tunes (the label this was released on) and have an incredibly broad taste in music so consider myself open minded to most stuff. I am also from London and therefore not unfamiliar with the style of vocals that are used here. That all said however this album is horrendously over rated where the critics got the ratings from I will never know. It is essentially some I am a big fan of Ninja Tunes (the label this was released on) and have an incredibly broad taste in music so consider myself open minded to most stuff. I am also from London and therefore not unfamiliar with the style of vocals that are used here. That all said however this album is horrendously over rated where the critics got the ratings from I will never know. It is essentially some decent (and only decent) dub-step style tracks with reggae/Rasta vocals over it. The vocals do not work at all …Expand

Overall, good beats/instrumentation do not a great album make. Take a listen to "Dear Science" by TVotR if you want a similar album with original music but the worst lyrics you've ever heard. Things that make me angry: -Musicians who think they know what they're talking about but really get their lyrics from Cynthia McKinney quotes on CNN -When people complain about tragedies, Overall, good beats/instrumentation do not a great album make. Take a listen to "Dear Science" by TVotR if you want a similar album with original music but the worst lyrics you've ever heard. Things that make me angry: -Musicians who think they know what they're talking about but really get their lyrics from Cynthia McKinney quotes on CNN -When people complain about tragedies, place the blame on those who aren't at fault, and then *do nothing about it!…Expand

There was a time when I believed Lou Reed's 'Metal Machine Music' was the worst album ever recorded. I've revisited my opinion and have come to the conclusion that it is the second worst album ever recorded. Poo-poo to all those arty poseurs who actually see artisitic merit in this shite DVD.

I cannot believe this is rated 90...I saw them live with Nine Inch Nails and all the singer could do was touch herself and scream HARDCORE. Live: the singing sucked, but the dj was awesome so it gets a bit better then 1 for me.

This is the grower of the year for me so far. At first it sounds like a collection of stand alone tracks but give it time and you suddenly realise that it is a very scary document to the current state of urban insanity that surrounds many of us. There is something undeniably seductive about the feeling you get in your gut of impending danger, violence and chaos and 'The Bug' This is the grower of the year for me so far. At first it sounds like a collection of stand alone tracks but give it time and you suddenly realise that it is a very scary document to the current state of urban insanity that surrounds many of us. There is something undeniably seductive about the feeling you get in your gut of impending danger, violence and chaos and 'The Bug' taps into that. You almost welcome the apocalypse - bring it on!…Expand

I've listen for the first time the dubstep and this genre has impresse me very positively! Basses are incredible on all the cd! Skeng, Angry, Judgment get 10/10, Warning , Fuckaz, Jah War 8/10, all the others 7/10..then... all the cd get an 8.. A particular mantion to the song Skang.. the rap on this song is amazing!

The cumulative effect--somewhere around being lifted into the heavens by sunrays--is at odds with the continuous black clouds that come before. Yet it’s a necessary chink of light to conclude a journey so oppressive you may just forget to breathe through its duration.

London Zoo provides the perfect showcase for its colourful menagerie of MCs and singers. And the Bug's no-nonsense clank and grind production fosters a rare intensity of focus on this album's higher purpose, which is to take the eloquence of Linton Kwesi Johnson and Michael Smith's Eighties dub-poetry, and blast it into digital hyperspace.